When an NFL team has traveled across three time zones this season, the results have been disastrous. Eleven times West Coast teams traveled for games in the Eastern time zone, and 11 times they have boarded planes for the return home with losses. Seattle was 0-4, Oakland and San Diego 0-3 and San Francisco 0-1.

But the 49ers finally ended that streak Sunday with a 10-3 victory over the Buffalo Bills . The 49ers had to endure a six-hour plane ride and a 10 a.m. body time kickoff to topple the Bills.

But 49ers coach Mike Singletary didn't want to hear excuses before the game and he had no plans of making any afterward.

"I just think if you're prepared to play and you're ready to play, you can be tired another time," Singletary said. "I really don't buy that. I just think when you're prepared, ready to go, you're hungry, you've got to get it done."

Singletary said the victory was a tribute to his team's focus.

"It all goes back to last week," Singletary said. "You lose in Dallas, we have guys banged up left and right and we have distractions coming up. On Thanksgiving, guys are thinking about turkey, and practice was a little sloppy. But on Friday they came back and had a great practice, and we come out here and played well enough to win.

"I told them at the beginning of the week this week is about character. We're 3-8 and you look at it and think, 'What do you have to play for?' But in my mind we've got a lot to play for. And I'm very thankful for that."

The 49ers scored the only touchdown on the first possession - a 12-yard pass from Shaun Hill to Isaac Bruce. Twice in the fourth quarter the 49ers rebuffed Buffalo penetrations inside the San Francisco 25 to preserve the victory.